Car roof



April 25, 1939.

CAR ROOF Filed March l0, v19.37

2 Sheets-Sheet l April 25, 1939. K. F. NYsTRoM I' GAR .RooF

Filed Maren 1o, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT CAR ROOF Application March 10,

7 Claims.

My invention relates to a roof construction more especially applicable to railroad freight cars of the welded steel car type; the invention having for its object the provision of uniform steel elements constituting roof sheets, carlines, roof side plates, stiifeners, and running-board, arranged to present surfaces whereby the respective elements may be readily united or welded together into a roof unit and this preassembled and integrally united roof then applied to' the car; the roofsheets and carlines being formed to provide attaching portions whereby the roof unit may then afford a continuous integral union with the steel car body.

One object of the invention is the provision of a roof unit composed of simple elements consisting of flat sheets and simple pressings Without need for complicated dies or complex operations for intertting between roof elements or roof and car.

Another object of the invention is the provision of what may be termed a self-sustaining roof, namely a roof in which the need of a ridge pole is eliminated due to the reenforcing and supporting relation between the roof proper and the running board; the various elements and their associated relation affording the requisite structural stiffness to permit safe handling ofthe roof unit from assembly jig to the car or to plaoe of storage as the case may be.

The aforementioned objects and the advantages inherent in the invention will all be readily comprehended from the detailed description of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan of my improved roof unit, an intermediate portion and one end being broken away.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1, as viewed by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and Viewed as indicated by the arrows.

Figures 4 and 5 are similar kdetail cross-sectional views illustrating modifications of runningboard construction and arrangement.

My invention contemplates the fabrication of a roof unit from a comparatively few preformed elements of rather simple construction comprising roof sheets I0, carlines II, running-board I2, roof side plates I3, and stiffener elements I4.

The precut roof sheets are preferably of uniform predetermined length which enables the successive sheets to exactly'adjoin or abut imv55 mediately on a carline. In car construction, the

1937, serial No 130,107

carlines are uniformly spaced lengthwise of the car and the roof sheets I0 are cut to a convenient uniform length so as to* overlap a prearranged number of carlines as illustrated for example in Figure 1 and at the right-hand end of the illustration where a roof sheet IB is shown extending from the right end of the roof to the approximate longitudinal center of the fourth carline from that car end and indicated in dotted lines at Il. The successive or next adjacent roof sheet lli extends from this fourth carline (reading from the right hand end of Figure 1) to the eighth carline from the right, and so on to the opposite 0r left hand end of the roof which is not shown but which end is in every way similar to the right hand end disclosed in Figure 1.

It will, of course, be understood that the particular length of roof sheets mentioned is merely employed as an exempli'cation and that the roof sheet may be of any desired length adapted to', overlap any given number of carlines and therefore I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement illustrated.

The roof sheets as shown consist of flat rectangular sheets whose adjoining edges are prefer--v ably spot welded to the subjacent carline which might be termed the splicing carline, as indicated at I5 in Figure 3. It will be understood, however, that if desired the roof sheets could be attached to the carline by plug welding.

It has also been found advisable, in addition to welding the roof sheets to' the subjacent carline, also to weld the adjacent edges of the successive roof sheets to each other by a continuous weld as shown at It, thereby ensuring a rigid and weather proof juncture.

The ends of the roof are finished off with any suitable pressed shape which best suits the steel end and which issecured-in such manner that the integrally united roof vforming elements may be readily applied to the car as a unit and be firmly secured to the car ends.

The carlines II consist of sheet metal pressed into inverted channel form and the marginal edges 0f the sides of the channel provided with the laterally disposed flanges I'l (see Figure 3) which tend to reenforce. or stiifen the carlines. The carlines preferably taper toward the ends which is accomplished by having the depth of the channels gradually diminish from the portion intended to be located at the longitudinal center line of the car roof toward the ends of the carlines'and therefore toward the sides of the car.

In order to simplify the operation of formation and also provide for conveniencev in manip- 4ISES ulation, I prefer to construct the carlines in two identical sections or halves which are adapted to be placed in end to end or abutting relation and these two sections welded together, coincident with the longitudinal center line of the roof, as indicated at I8 in Figure 2; the weld extending throughout the top, sides and lateral flanges of the carline, thereby providing a very rigid or stiff structure.

The ends of the carlines are securely welded to the roof side plates, one of which is disclosed at I3 in Figure 2; and the roof side plates, which are of form to closely conform to the body side plate partly shown at I9 in Figure 2, are then securely fastened or welded to the car or body side plates I9 of the car. The two side plates, namely the roof side plate I3 and the body side plate I9 are then secured or simultaneously welded to the side posts of the car body; one of the side posts being shown at 2D in Figure 2.

The roof sheets I0, as seen in Figure 2, extend beyond the ends of the carlines and noverlaprthe roof side plate I3 and a further union between the roof unit and the car sides is provided by a continuous weld, indicated at 2l, extending lengthwise of the car whereby the roof sheet, the roof side plate and the body side plate are simultaneously joined together. Y

In order to properly stiffen the roof sheets between the carlines I provide the under side of the roof sheets, intermediate of the successive carlines, with the stiffener elements I4 which preferably are in the nature of angle bars disposed in directions lengthwise of the roof. I prefer to employ a pair of these angle bar stiffeners arranged in spaced relation intermediate of the car sides and the longitudinal center line of the car, on each side of the longitudinal center. These angle stiiener bars I4 preferably are spot welded to the roof sheets I0.

My improved roof unit also involves the running-board section I2 which extends lengthwise from end to end of the roof and consists of sheet metal of predetermined width to straddle the ridge of the roof and extend a sufficient distance to opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the roof as shown in Figure 2. The longitudinal edges of the running-board sheet are bent downwardly and the free marginal edges are then preferably bent laterally as shown at 22 in Figure 2 into .parallel relation with the roof sheets I9 to which the laterally disposed flange portions 22 are intimately united `by means of a continuous weld along the edge of the running board at 23.

The flanges 22 on opposite sides of the running board when intimately united with the roof sheets act as longitudinal stiffeners Awhich extend full length of the car roof.

As shown in Figure 2, the roof sheets I0 may terminate beneath the downwardly bent longitudinal edges of the running-board section because the running-board section being intimately united at its flanged sides with the roof sheets will constitute a roof section across the ridge, uniting the roof sheets on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline, thus obviating the necessity and expense of roof sheets along the center line.

'Ihe center of the running board I2 is also welded at 24 to the successive carlines Il, namely coincident with the welded joint I8 between the carline halves.

By reason of the continuous running board 'sheet-somewhat in 'the nature of a shallow channel plateand its intimate connection with the roof sheets and with the respective carlines, the use of the usual ridge pole is obviated as the necessary stilfness for the roof along the center line is provided by the combination runningboard and roof section I2. The center of the running-board I2 preferably is welded to the carlines by means of plug Welds.

AThe running-board section I2 is preferably provided with an outer rough surface obtained in any suitable manner for the purpose of affording proper footing for the trainmen. The running-board I2 maybe applied in sheets or sections of .any convenient length and they may consist of equal sections on opposite sides of the roof ridge and joined together at the center by welding.

The channel shaped carlines are provided with a wood ller or strip 25, see Figure 3, which affords suitable means for fastening the inside 'wood finish of the car in place, as 'for example the ceiling element 26 which may consist of plywood. The wood strip 25 may be fastened in the carline in -any suitable manner as for example by bolts, not shown 'in the drawings. I

In Figures 4 and 5 I illustrate alternate con structions of the running-board for providing additional stiffness to the ridge or center of the roof.

The running-board I2a shown in Figure 4 is provided along the center line with a downwardly;

presented ridge or rib 21 which may be provided by either ldepressing the running-board sheet along the longitudinal center or it may be produced by uniting two similar channel `sections 25, `28, and welding the abutting sides of the two fsections together as well as. to thersubjacent carlines `I I. The other or outer longitudinal sides of Athese sections 28,28 .are `also `disposed downwardly and thence' laterally into the 'flange portions 29, which extend parallel and ush with the roof sheets I0 to which the .flangefportions 29 `are welded =as in the construction previously described.

The `alternate form 'shown in Figure 5 consists ofan inverted 'channel like sheet I2D substantially ysimilar tothe form 'shown in Figure I2, exceptfthat the lower face of the running-board Vsection at the longitudinal center is'provided'with supporting member 39.

This member may be in the nature of Van angle,-

bar or strip with-one Alongitudinal edge welded to the running-'board sh'eet 'While Jthe other `side `or leg ofthe bar or strip extends 'parallel with the carlines towhic'h 'it lis'welde'd. I'Ihis bar or strip 30 not only siipportsv theV center of Vthe'runn'ing- Y1;

to the carlines, a form of weld'which could-also.A

be used in weltling'theiroof'sheets to the carlines; although -any #suitable type ofweld ias taught by shopI practice may be employed. Y

In'the assemblyof a complete roof. a sufficient number rof 'carlines suitably spaced are rst i formed and provided. 'The roof sheetsarethen 'welded -to the 4carlines and the roof side plates then attached tothe ends of thefcarlinesgas heretofore described. fThe'previously formed running board is theniapplied'in'sections of van-yconveni- :75

ent length and welded to the roof sheets and to carlines as described.

The ends of the roof are nished off with any suitable pressed shape which best suits the steel end and in such manner that the assembled roof may be readily applied as a unit to the car body.

The top of the running board section of the roof may either be roughened or a suitable tread plate may be applied to provide a non-slip surface.

In application, the two side plates, namely the body side.plate and the roof side plate may be joined by what is known as chain welds at points between the side posts of the car body and the chain welds spaced to provide sufficient strength.

It will be understood that any suitable methods of welding may be employed in assembling my improved roof unit which consists of simple sections or elements comprising flat sheets and simple shapes or pressings requiring no complicated dies in their fabrication; elements or sections Which also do not require coping to t other portions or elements of the roof or car.

Furthermore, by employing the longitudinal running-board section as an integral part of the roof structure, the necessity for separate conventional types of running boards is obviated; while the inclusion of the running board as an integral section or part of the roof unit also eliminates the necessity of employing the usual ridge pole.

The respective elements of the roof are preferably united by suitable welding as hereinbefore stated, although riveting or any suitable method of integrally uniting the various elements into a complete roof unit may be employed.

The specic form or construction of the various elements illustrated and the methods of uniting these elements as herein described are believed to be the simplest embodiment of the invention which has been described in terms employed merely for purposes of description and not as terms of limitation, as modications are possible and may be made without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention as expressed in the accompanying claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a car roof, a series of carlines, roof sheets extending longitudinally of the car to span a series of carlines and secured to each carline by welding, said sheets extending transversely of the car from the eaves to a point spaced from the ridge, and running board sections complementary to said roof sheets arranged in a higher plane and provided with depending edge portions terminating in base anges welded to the upper edge portions of said sheets, said running board sections being also centrally attached to the carlines at the ridge.

2. In a car roof, a series of carlines, roof side plates welded to the ends of said carlines, roof sheets extending longitudinally of the car to span a series of carlines being welded to each carline, the eaves portion of said sheets extending over and secured to a portion of said roof side plate and the opposite edge portion of said sheet being spaced from the ridge, running board sections complementary to said roof sheets arranged in a higher plane with depending edge portions terminating in base flanges resting upon and welded to the upper edge portions of said roof sheets, said running board sections being also centrally attached to said carlines.

3. In a car the combination with frame side plates, of a roof comprising a series of carlines, roof side plates welded to the ends of said carlines and being of a cross section to t the side plates of the car frame, roof sheets extending longitudinally of the car to span a series of carlines and secured to each carline by welding, the abutting ends of adjacent sheets being disposed on top of a carline and welded thereto and to each other, and running board sections complementary to said roof sheets arranged in a higher plane with depending edge portions terminating in base anges welded to the upper edge portions of said sheets and also centrally attached to said carlines, said running board sections also spanning a series of carlines with the abutting edges of adjacent sections offset longitudinally of the car from the abutting edges of adjacent roof sheets.

4. In a car the combination with frame side plates, of a roof comprising a series of carlines each formed of complementary sections extending on opposite sides of the ridge and welded to each other, each section being of inverted channel cross section with outwardly extending base flanges and being tapered in depth from ridge to eaves, roof sid-e plates Welded to the ends of said carlines and of a cross section to fit over the side plates of the car frame, roof sheets extending longitudinally of the car to span a series of said carlines and secured thereto -by welding, the edge portions of said sheets overlapping portions of said roof side plates and Welded thereto, and the opposite edges of said sheets being spaced from the ridge, and running board sections complementary to said roof sheets arranged in a higher plane and having depending edge portions terminating in base flanges welded to the upper edge portions of said sheets, said running board sections being also centrally welded tol said carlines.

5. In a car the combination with frame side plates, of a roof comprising a series of carlines each formed of complementary sections extending on opposite sides of the ridge and Welded to each other, each section being of inverted channel cross section with outwardly extending base ilanges and being tapered in depth fro-m ridge to eaves, roof side plates welded to the ends of said carlines and of a cross section to t over the side plates of the car frame, roof sheets extending longitudinally of the car to span a series of said carlines and secured thereto by welding, stifening anges for said roof sheets Welded to the underside thereof and extending -between carlines, the edge portions of said sheets overlapping portions of said roof side plates and welded thereto, and the opposite edges of said she-ets being spaced from the ridge, and running board sections complementary to said roof sheets arranged in a higher plane and having depending edge portions terminating in base anges welded to the upper edge portions of said sheets, said running board sections being also centrally Welded to said carlines.

6. In a car roof, a series of carlines, roof side plates welded to the ends of said carlines, roof sheets extending longitudinally of the car to span a series of carlines being welded to each carline, the eaves portion of said sheets extending over and secured to a portion of said roof side plate and the opposite edge portion of said sheet being spaced from the ridge, running board sections complementary to= said roof sheets arranged in a higher plane with depending edge portions terminating in base anges resting upon and welded to the upper edge portions of said roof sheets, said running board sections being also centrally attached to said carlines, and car body side plates having upper portions of inverted channel cross section to which said roof side plates are attached.

7. In a car roof, a series of canines, roof side plates Welded to the ends of said carlines, roof sheets extending longitudinally of the `car to span4 a series of carlines being Welded to each carline, the eaves portion of said sheets extending over and secured to a portion of said roof side lo plate and the opposite edge portion of said sheet being spaced from the ridge, running board sections complementary to said roof sheets arranged tion to t upon said top and inner side and `10 being secured thereto by Welding.

KARL F. NYSTROM. 

